What characterized environmental considerations *before* mandatory assessment became law?
Answer
They were often voluntary or reactive measures taken after a problem was evident.
Prior to mandatory law, environmental checks were sporadic, often internal recommendations, or acted reactively after environmental problems had already materialized, lacking the proactive screening mechanism of modern EIA.
Related Questions
Which legislation is most widely cited as the "invention" of modern Environmental Impact Assessment?On what exact date was the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) signed into US law?What fundamental characteristic defines NEPA beyond being merely an environmental protection law?What specific document was mandated by NEPA for major federal actions significantly affecting the human environment?What does NEPA primarily dictate regarding environmentally damaging actions?Which body was established by NEPA to develop the procedures for implementing the assessment process?What characterized environmental considerations *before* mandatory assessment became law?How did the US EIA concept primarily diffuse to other countries?What significant addition represented a maturation of the assessment concept beyond purely biophysical parameters?According to the text, when did the true *invention* of effective, useful assessment primarily occur?What fundamental analytical shift defines the modern concept of EIA compared to traditional regulatory practices?